Female, 30, teacher, hiker.
The client came into the clinic today with tightness in the gastrocnemius, she explained that she had gone for a long hike a week before the appointment and that she had feel the tightness since.
On observation the client did not appear to have any bruising or swelling on the leg or foot, both legs appeared to have good symmetry throughout. Both the above and below joints, knee and toes were cleared where the client did not experience any pain or symptoms. On palpation both the client’s gastrocnemius felt tight. There was no PoP on the gastrocnemius, or soleus.
On active movement of the ankle the client had full ROM in PF, DF, Inv and Ev. In passive movement the client’s ankle was tested in PF, DF, Inv and Ev and the end feel showed no abnormities.
In resisted movements the client scored a 5 out of 5 in PF, DF, Inv and Ev.
The special tests performed were anterior/posterior draw tests, talar tilt test, syndesmosis squeeze test, kieigers test, lateral stress test, fibular transition test, Thomson squeeze test and windlass test for plantar fasciopathy, the client tested negative in all the above tests.
Treatment given to the client was a sports massage concentrating of the gastrocnemius. The sports massage involved light effleurage in order to warm up the muscles and increase the blood flow to the gastrocnemius. Petrissage techniques were then implemented e.g. wringing, picking up, kneading and open C’s. Both neuro muscular techniques and MET’s were used The client has been booked in for a follow up appointment in a weeks time.